Elevator-support for harvesters.



W. H. CRANE. ELEVATOR SUPPORT FOR HARVESTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1916.

I Patentd Juiie 11,. 1918.:

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W. H. CRANE. ELEVATOR SUPPORT FOR HARVESTERS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1916'.

1,269,1 61 Patentd Jun 11, 1918.

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WILLIAM H. CRANE, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB IO MOLINE PLOW COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELEVATOR-SUPPORT FOR I-IARVESTERS.

Application filed May 22, 1916.

To all whom it may concem' Be it known that I, WILLIAM. H. CRANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevator- Supports for Harvesters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to harvesting machines and has reference more particularly to the means for adjustably supporting the upper elevator frame so that its position in relation to the lower elevator frame may be changed to meet the conditions encountered in practice.

It is customary in harvesting machines to secure the forward end of the upper elevator frame permanently in position in the machine frame, and to support its rear end adjustably, to enable the proper distance between and relations of the two elevator aprons to be maintained in order to insure the proper conveyance of the grain to the binder deck.

My invention consists of an improved form of adjustable support or connection between the machine frame and the upper elevator frame, by means of which the elevator frame may be conveniently and quickly adjusted to different positions and may be firmly and fixedly held in its adjusted position without liability of the parts working loose.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of so much of a harvesting machine as is necessary to illustrate the construction and application ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the adjustable support for the elevator frame, detached from the machine.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional plan view on the line 44 of Fig. 3, certain parts hein g shown in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation on the line 55 of Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring to the drawings:

The machine frame 1, a portion only of I I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 11, 1918,

Serial No. 99,067.

which is shown, has rigidlyconnected therewith so as to form in effect an integralpart thereof, a horizontal seat supporting bar 2- which extends upwardly from the machine frame and forwardly across the face of the upper elevator. Suitably and rigidly supported by the machine frame is a lower elevator frame 3 extending as usual in an upwardly inclined position from the grain re-. ceiving platform and equipped with a suitable conveyer apron (not shown). 4 indicates the upper elevator frameconsisting as usual of front and rear frame bars the rear frame bar 5 only being shown. These bars give support to a conveyer apron 4 adapted to cooperate with the lower conveyer apron in conveying grain from the receiving platform to the binder deck. The front portion of the upper elevator is sustained by the machine frame usually in a permanent man ner, while the rear portion is so supported from the machine frame that it may be adjusted to compensate for sagging by varying the distance between the two elevators or their angularity or both.

My invention isconcerned withthe form of this connection between the upper elevator frame and the machine frame. whereby such adjustments are brought about.

As shown in Fig. 1, a supporting member or bracket 6 is firmly bolted to the upper side of the seat bar 2 and has projecting stubbleward therefrom at the rear side of the rear frame bar 5, a horizontal supporting arm 7. This supporting arm is provided with a horizontal slot 8 extending longitudinally thereof, and above and below the slot the arm is provided with rearwardly extending guiding and supporting flanges 9. 10 indicates a carrying member in the form of a plate or casting which is seated facewise against the forward face of the supporting arm and which is provided at its upper and lower edges with guiding flanges 10 extending at opposite sides of the flanges on the supporting arm, so that the carrying member will be supported by the supporting arm and may be shifted or adjusted lon-,

of a clamping device in the form of a clamping bolt 11 which is carried by the carrying member and which extends through the slot, a clamping nut 11 bein screwed on the bolt, by means of which the parts may be firmly and fixedly clamped together in their adjusted positions.

At its outer end the carrying member 10 is provided with a vertical slot 12 through which extends a horizontal clamping bolt 13 fixed to the rear frame-member 5 of the upper elevator frame so that by shifting the bolt in the slot the rear portion of the elevator frame may be adjusted vertically relatively to the carrying member. The rear end of the bolt has applied to it a clamping nut 13 for firmly holding the clamping bolt, and consequently the connected elevator frame bar 5, in its adjusted position.

As a result of the construction described it will be understood that the upper elevator frame is so supported from the machine frame that it may be adjusted. both vertically and horizontally relatively to the lower elevator frame, the horizontal adjustment being effected by the horizontal movement of the carrying member 10 on the supporting arm 7, and the vertical adjust ment being effected by the vertical move- .ment of the bolt 13, and connected frame bar on the carrying member.

In order that these adjustments may be conveniently effected, I provide two adjusting devices 1 1- and 15 respectively, one device between the supporting arm 7 and the carrying member 10, and the other device between the carrying member 10 and the frame bar 5 of the upper elevator, both of which devices are operable to effect the movement of the parts in their adjusting actions. The adjusting device 14: consists of a rod 14s having its inner end attached to the supporting arm 7 and having its outer end. passed loosely through an upright bracket or lug 16 on the carrying member, nuts 17 being screwed on the end of the rod and engaging respectively at opposite sides of the bracket. By screwing or unscrewing these nuts, after first loosening the clamping bolt 11*, the carrying member may be shifted along the supporting arm to different positions, and when in the proper position of adjustment, the parts may be held by again tightening up the clamping bolt 11 The adjusting device 15 consists of a vertical rod 15 provided at its lower end with an eye encircling the clamping bolt 18 between the side of the elevator frame bar 5 and the clamping nut 13. The rod extends upwardly, loosely through an opening in a horizontal lug 18 on the carrying member and has screwed thereon nuts 19 which bear on opposite sides of the lug 18. By screwing or unscrewing these nuts, after first loosening the clamping nut 13*, the clamping bolt 13 and connected elevator frame bar 5 will be shifted vertically with reference to the carrying member, and the parts may be held in their adjusted position by again tightening up clan'iping nut 13".

The clamping bolt 13, through the medium of which the elevator frame is supported by the carrying member, is applied to the frame bar 5 about midway between its ends and due to this fact, and the support of the bolt by the vertical adjusting rod 15 the elevator frame may be tilted or rocked to a limited extent about the axis of the bolt 18, relatively to the underlying frame. This adjustment is for the purpose of maintaining the relation of the two elevator frames and consequently of the two conveyor aprons, to each other.

In order to control this tilting adjustment, and in order to properly support the upper end of the elevator frame and prevent it from'sagging, I provide a supporting rod 19 which has'its lower end jointed as at 20 to the supporting member 6 and which extends upwardly and has its upper end connected with the upper end of the elevator frame bar 5 as at 20 The connection of the rod with the frame bar is made adjustable in order to effect the tilting adjustments of the frame about the axis of the bolt 13, andso that the upper end of the elevator frame may move to accommodate the horizontal and vertical adjustments of the elevator frame. To effect this object, the upper end of the supporting rod 19 is passed loosely through an opening in an ear 21 projecting rearwardly from a casting on the upper end of the fram bar 5, two nuts 22 being screwed on the end of the red at opposite sides of the ear. By screwing the two nuts 22 along the rod, after first loosening up the clamping nut 13, the elevator frame will be tilted about the axis of the bolt 13, and when in its proper position relative to the underlying frame, the parts may be firmly held by again tightening up the clamping nut 18".

By the horizontal adjustment of the elevator frame, the distance between the, aprons may be varied in a horizontal, plane without displacing the upper frame in a vertical direction. By the vertical adjustment of the frame the distance between the elevator aprons may be varied in a vertical plane, without displacing the frame in a horizontal direction. It is seen therefore that by these combined adjustments, and the ilting adjustment described, all the conditions in practice requiring different distances between or relations of the two aprons may be met, and their proper relations may be maintained notwithstanding such accidental. displacement of the parts as may occur, or the tendency of the parts of the machine frame to change their relations after con tinued and rough usage. It will be understood that in the horizontal and vertical adjustments of the elevator frame by the ad justing devices 14: and 15 described, it may be necessary to loosen the nuts on the upper end of the rod 19 to release the upper end of the elevator frame if the movement of adjustment is greater than the natural yield or play of the parts would permit.

In the foregoing description and accompanying drawings I have set forth my invention in the particular details of embodiment which I prefer to adopt, but it will be manifest that various changes in the construction and details may be made without departing from the limits of my invention; and further it will be understood that the invention is not limited 0 any particular form or construction of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: i

1. In a harvesting machine, and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, a fixed horizontal supporting member, a carrying member sustained by the supporting member and adjustable in a rectilinear path horizontally relatively thereto, and an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member and adjustable vertically relatively to said carrying member.

2. In a harvesting machine and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame and provided with a horizontal or substantially horizontal slot, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable relatively thereto in the direction of said slot and provided with a vertical or substantially vertical slot, a clamping device carried by the carrying member and engaging in the horizontal slot to fasten the carrying member adjustably to the supporting member, an upper elevator frame, and a clamping device carried by the same and engaging in the vertical slot to secure the upper elevator frame adjustably to the carrying member.

In a harvester and in combination with a machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable in relation to the same, an adjusting device between the supporting member and carrying member operable to move the latter to adjust it, a clamping device independent of said adjusting device for holding the parts in their adj usted position, an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member and movable relatively thereto, an adjusting device be tween the carrying member and elevator frame operable to move the latter to ad ust it, and a clamping device independent of said adjusting device for holding the elevator frame in its adjusted position.

4. In a harvester and in combination with a'machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame, a carrying member seated flatly against the supporting member so as to slide thereon to adjust the same, a clamping bolt extending through the supporting member and, the carrying member and operable to clamp the same releasably in their different relative positions, a rod connected with the supporting member and extending in the direction of the sliding movement of the carrying member and loosely through the latter, a nut on the rod engaging the supporting member to adjust the same, and an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member.

5. In a harvester and in combination with a machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable horizontally relatively thereto to adjust the same, an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member and movable vertically relatively thereto, a vertical rod connected with the upper elevator frame and extending loosely through the carrying member, and a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member and acting when turned to adjust the elevator frame vertically relatively to the carrying member.

6. In a harvester and in combination with a machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable relatively thereto to adjust the same, a rod connected with the supporting member and extending through the carrying member, a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member to adjust said member relatively to the supporting member, an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member and movable relativcly thereto, a rod connected with the elevator frame and extending through the carrying member, and a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member toadjust the elevator frame relatively to said carrying member.

7. In a harvester and in combination with a machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame and having a horizontal. or substantially horizontal slot, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable relatively thereto in the direction of said slot, a clamping device on the carrying member engaging in the slot to hold the parts in their adjusted position, a rod connected to the supporting member and eX- tending loosely through an opening in the carrying member, a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member for adjusting it, and an upper elevator frame sustained by the carrying member.

8. In a harvester and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, a carrying member sustained by the machine frame and provided with a vertical or substantially vertical slot, an upper elevator frame movable relatively to the carrying member in the direction .of the slot to adjust the carrying member, a clamping device on the elevator frame engaging in the slot to hold the frame in its adjusted position, a rod connected with the clamping device and eX- tending loosely through the carrying member, and a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member to adjust the/elevator frame.

9. In a harvester and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, a supporting member fixed to the machine frame and provided with a horizontal slot, a carrying member mounted on the supporting member and movable relatively thereto in the direction of said slot, a rod connected with the supporting member and extending loosely through the carrying member, a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member to adjust the latter, a clamping device on the carrying member. engaging in the said slot to hold the parts in their adjusted position, said carrying member being provided with a vertical slot, an upper elevator frame, a clamping device on the elevator frame engaging in said vertical slot and adapted to hold the parts in their adjusted position, a

rod connected with the said clamping device and extending loosely through the carrying member, and a nut on the rod engaging the carrying member to adjust the elevator frame relatively thereto.

10, In a harvester and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, an upper elevator frame supported between its ends by the machine frame for tilting adjustment relatively thereto, and a supporting rod jointed at its lower end to the machine frame and connected adjustably at its upper end to the upper elevator frame at a point above the point of su iipert of said elevator frame from the machine fran'ie. v

11. In a harvester and in combination with the machine frame and lower elevator frame, an upper elevator fra'me pivotally supported between its ends on the main frame and adjustable relatively to the lower elevator frame vertically, horizontally, and also about its pivotal support, and a supporting rod jointed to the machine frame and adjust-ably connected to the upper elevator frame above its point of pivotal support, the adjustment of said rod serving to tilt the upper elevator frame on its point of pivotal support to effect theadju'stment of the same.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses VILLIAM H. CRANE.

lVitnesses:

l/VM. J. MERKLE, K. ScHLossnR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,- Washington, D. C. 

